Written By: Ami John
Anime’s presence is undeniable. From Tokyo to New York to London, the genre has swept across the globe, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Comic Cons around the world are seeing bigger crowds each year, a clear sign of anime’s rising popularity and cultural impact. What started as a niche interest in the 1990s, with iconic series such as One Piece, Naruto, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, has evolved into a global movement. Shows like Dragon Ball Z also made waves during this time, generating massive revenue. Even Doraemon, a children’s anime that began airing in 1979, has gone on to become one of the longest running animes in history. In our globalised market, the Japanese anime industry holds a leadership position with around 45 per cent market share, an incredible feat.
But it was not until the 2020s that anime really caught fire on a global scale. Since then, the industry has been growing at an incredible pace, with new titles constantly being released. Subgenres are expanding, too. In fact, over the past two years, the global demand for anime has surged by an impressive 118 per cent. By 2021, anime had solidified itself as the third most in-demand TV genre worldwide, right behind crime dramas and sitcoms.
Much of this newfound popularity can be credited to Attack on Titan, an anime that combines intense action with dark themes like survival, cannibalism, and genocide. The show not only captured a massive following but also marked a turning point in the genre’s global rise. Attack on Titan made history as the first non-English-language series to be named the world’s most in-demand TV show, earning its place among cultural titans such as Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. This success helped pave the way for live-action adaptations, like Netflix’s One Piece, which has also gained significant traction in the West.
The success of Attack on Titan is just one example of how the anime landscape has evolved. Unlike the 1990s, when only a few series dominated the scene, today’s anime is diverse and widely embraced. Films like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train have helped push the genre even further into the mainstream, with the film earning a massive $19.5 million in its opening weekend in the U.S., setting a record for foreign-language films. Even on TikTok, fans have taken to making anime inspired videos, sharing their thoughts, and editing their favourite characters. Merchandise inspired by anime has also boomed over COVID with new buyers every day.
Anime’s roots go all the way back to the early twentieth century. Japan’s first animated films appeared in the 1910s, taking inspiration from Western animation techniques. By 1917, the first verifiable anime films were created, marking the birth of a new art form. However, it was not until the 1960s, with the groundbreaking work of Osamu Tezuka (often called the “God of Manga”) that anime truly began to carve out its place in Japanese culture. Tezuka’s Astro Boy which appeared in cinemas in 1963 is widely regarded as one of the first major anime TV series and has set the stage for the modern anime industry.
In the early 1990s, anime gained a significant presence in the West, thanks in part to Manga Entertainment, a key producer, licensee, and distributor of anime. Founded in the UK in 1987, Manga Entertainment played a major role in licensing and distributing anime titles such as Ninja Scroll, which helped introduce the genre to a wider audience. The company also co-produced Ghost in the Shell, which was released in theatres in 1995. Ghost in the Shell went on to become an influential film, with themes of cybernetics and virtual reality that were later echoed in movies like The Matrix. Over time, Manga Entertainment’s UK branch evolved into Funimation UK and Ireland in 2021, which was rebranded as Crunchyroll Ltd. in 2022. In the United States, the company’s operations were absorbed by Starz Inc., reflecting changes in the landscape of anime distribution.
In recent years, anime has increasingly influenced global media discussions. In 2021, series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Tokyo Revengers were among the top ten most discussed shows worldwide on X, displaying the expanding reach of anime into the mainstream. The following year, the song “Idol” from the anime Oshi no Ko, by YOASOBI (a Japanese pop duo) made history by topping the Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. chart with about 45.7 million streams and 24,000 copies sold internationally. This was hailed as a noteworthy milestone and achievement for the Japanese entertainment industry. Thus, “Idol” became the first anime song to reach this level of success, also dominating the Apple Music Global Top 100 chart.
Similarly, in 2024, The Boy and the Heron by Studio Ghibli added to anime’s growing recognition on the global stage by winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. This victory not only marked the second Oscar for Hayao Miyazaki but also highlights the new prominence of non-English-language films taking over major global awards, as it became only the second of such films to win the category after Spirited Away. Miyazaki is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli made in 1985. He is one of the most influential figures in animation history, whose films, known for their complex narratives and breathtaking animation, have garnered critical acclaim worldwide. Studio Ghibli has been instrumental in bringing anime to international audiences, with films like Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Princess Mononoke becoming cultural landmarks. These works have not only shaped the anime industry but also redefined the potential of animated films, offering stories that resonate across age groups with adults and children enjoying them together.
In conclusion, anime’s rise over the past few years is showing no signs of slowing down. With its constant presence in global conversations, chart-topping music, and even prestigious awards like Studio Ghibli’s Oscar win, it is clear that anime has cemented its place into the mainstream. Popular works like Attack on Titan have pushed the genre to new heights, while Jujutsu Kaisen has become a part of TikTok culture, influencing trends and connecting with younger audiences. As anime continues to grow and captivate viewers worldwide, it is clear this cultural force will only keep expanding, shaping entertainment for years to come.
Bibliography
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/when-did-anime-begin
https://poggers.com/blogs/data/anime-statistics-information-data-fun-facts
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